Can You Explain This?

1 Peter 3:8-22
Chris Seidman
November 15, 2020

1 Peter 3:8-14 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

1 Peter 3:15a (NIV)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

1 Peter 3:15b (NIV)
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3:15c-17 (NIV)
But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Three Reasons For The Hope We Have

Jesus has gone to the cross.

1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross … .

Jesus has gone to a prison.

1 Peter 3:18b-20 (NIV)
He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

2 Peter 2:4 (NIV)
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment … .

Jude 6 (NIV)
And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling – these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

Jesus has gone to the throne. (vs. 22)

1 Peter 3:19-22 (NIV)
After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him.

Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Peter 3:20 (NIV)
… when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water … .

1 Peter 3:21 (NIV)
… and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ … .

1 Peter 3:21 (NIV)
It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:21 (NIV)
… the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Communion

He’s gone to the cross, to a prison, to the throne – which of these mean the most to you right now?
What is the Spirit saying to you?